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2mo ago

Lee Secures EU Pacts, Condemns Russia–North Korea Military Cooperation

The agreements and joint statement mark a push to deepen South Korea’s security and economic ties with Europe and set the stage for talks at the upcoming G7 summit.

President Lee Jae Myung (C) and first lady Kim Hea Kyung (2nd from R) walk toward the presidential plane at Seoul Air Base, south of the capital, on June 9, 2026, to depart for a trip to Europe. (Yonhap)
President Lee Jae Myung (R) and first lady Kim Hea Kyung board the presidential plane at Seoul Air Base, south of the capital, on June 9, 2026, to depart for a trip to Europe. (Yonhap)
Image
Kakao's headquarters in Pangyo, south of Seoul, is shown in this photo taken June 9, 2026, a day before a planned strike by unionized members of the company. (Yonhap)

Overview

  • South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met EU leaders in Brussels on Wednesday to issue a joint statement that strongly condemned Russia’s military cooperation with North Korea and expressed grave concern about Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programs.
  • During the Brussels summit the two sides launched negotiations for a Security of Information Agreement to allow secure exchange of classified material and signed a Digital Trade Agreement plus a passenger-name-record data-transfer accord.
  • Lee held a separate summit with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever on Wednesday that produced an agreement to expand bilateral investment in batteries, materials and energy and an MOU to boost cooperation for SMEs and startups.
  • After wrapping up talks in Brussels Lee departed for Italy, where he arrived under an Italian fighter-jet escort and is scheduled to meet President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni before visiting the Vatican and attending the G7 in Evian, France.
  • The accords aim to improve information sharing, protect digital trade, and widen market access for Korean firms while reinforcing Seoul’s non-proliferation stance and could lead to deeper defense and industrial ties between South Korea and European partners.